barletta

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Published on Tuesday, 05 June 2012 19:59
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Barletta:

Itaca Hotel is located, no distance from the Adriatic sea, in Barletta city, known all over the world as “La Città della Disfida” (Challenge City). Barletta city has always played a leading and impressive role in the history of Puglia. The first stories about Barletta date back to 4th century b. C., whose first name was Bardulos, it was immediately known with “La Battaglia di Canne” ( Battle of Canne) , which was the largest battle of the Second Punic War, fought between the Romans and the Carthaginians and won by the latter captained by one of the most famous leaders in the history: Hannibal. Barletta and its harbor were the most important center of Puglia during the Crusades, thanks to its strategic geographical position for reaching the Holy Land. In fact, the passage of merchants, pilgrims and warriors , who were headed for the Middle East, gave rise to the fortune of the Apulian city. A fortune that caught the attention of the Emperor Frederick II of Swabia who wanted it among principal cities of his kingdom. But the story of Barletta is mainly linked to the famous Disfida (Challenge ). In February 1503 Barletta was the scene of the battle between Italian knights captained by the famous Ettore Fieramosca, and French knights, captained by Guy La Motte. Ettore Fieramosca and Italian knights led in the battlefield their preparation, demonstrating the value of Italy with the victory of the challenge. Barletta has been recognized as a city of art from the region of Apulia in 2005 for its architectural beauties. The walls of the city and every stone can tell pages of history and culture: from medieval to modern times, but each era has left his testimony. Majestic monuments, works of art, noble architectures. In this page we show you some photos of the main attractions of the city accompanied by a brief presentation.

The Castle of Barletta

The majestic Castle of Barletta has a long history that is intertwined with that of the city. Situated on the margins of the city of Barletta, originally surrounded by the waters of the Adriatic the castle is a majestic monument built in four periods: the Norman period (XII century), the Swabian period (XIII century) , the Angevin period (XIII-XIV centuries) and the Spanish period (XVI century). Between the works contained within it, have kept a bust of Frederick II of Swabia, made of limestone, unique in the world, and the Sarcophagus of the Apostles, a stone relief and first first evidence of Christianity in Barletta, dating back the period between III and IV century.
Opening hours: from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 18:15 p.m. (during the winter) ; from 10:00 a.m. to 19:15 p.m. (during the summer)
Infoline:0883578621
Admission fee..

La Basilica del Santo Sepolcro

The “ Basilica del Santo Sepolcro” is one of the main churches of Barletta. The origins of the structure retain a strong link between the Holy Land and the tomb of Jesus Christ. Situated in a strategic position, the basilica was a place of transit for pilgrims headed to the Holy Land and for the Crusaders. The Basilica was built on the ruins of an old medieval church. The present building is the result of numerous transformations. Inside the church has a rich treasure, including rare and precious objects come from the Holy Land. Among these, a fragment of the True Cross of Jesus Christ, preserved in a reliquary in silver and gold. The Basilica and the Cathedral are not the only churches in the city of Barletta. But the historic center of town is full of old churches where art, culture and traditions are closely linked to history.

Porta Marina

Porta Marina is the only remaining example of the ancient gates that surrounded the city of Barletta. It is located in the homonymous square, surrounded from those which are the most important monuments of the city. Made entirely of stone, is one of the oldest designs in Apulia. On its two sides you can admire the Bourbon coat of arms.

The Cathedral of Santa Maria Maggiore

The Cathedral of Santa Maria Maggiore, near to the Swabian castle, is located in the oldest part of town and is the main focus of the religious life of the city. The current building is presented as a complex organism and little unit, where you can admire two styles: the Romanesque and Gothic style. The construction of the present building has seen the sunrise and the sunset of various eras and trends. This church is so today the result of hybridization of the various historical eras and is considered one of the few examples of the most harmonious and ancient of Apulia.
Opening hours:: from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m., from 16:00 p.m. to 20:30 p. m.
Infoline: 0883345522
Free admission (from 10:00 a.m. to 19:15 p.m.)

The Colossus Eraclio

Beside the Basilica Santo Sepolcro stands on a pedestal the Colossus Eraclio, the symbol of the city of Barletta. Heraclius is a huge bronze statue, very old, about 5 feet high. It dates back to Roman times, but its identification is still uncertain: some say that it is the emperor Valentinian I, and others Marciano. It is also in doubt its origin: a legend, in fact, states that the statue had been cast upon the beach of the city of Barletta by a Venetian vessel, returning from Byzantium after the sack of 1204.

Il Palazzo della Marra (Baroque)

Located in the historic center of the city, Palazzo della Marra is undoubtedly one of the finest examples of Baroque architecture in Apulia. Located in the historic center of the city, Palazzo della Marra is undoubtedly one of the finest examples of Baroque architecture in Apulia. The building, completely carved in stone, dates back to the second half of 1500 and was the home of prominent aristocratic families. Today the palace houses the art gallery of Giuseppe De Nittis famous painter, belonging to the artistic movement of Impressionism.
Opening hours: from 9:00 a.m. to 19:00 p.m. during the winter ; from 10:00 a.m. to 20:00 p.m. during the summer.
Infoline: 0883538371.
Admission fee..

Giuseppe De Nittis (impressionist painter)

The city is also prestigious thanks to the memory and especially thanks to the works of the painter Giuseppe De Nittis. Giuseppe De Nittis, born and raised in Barletta, was an Italian painter belonging to the artistic movement of the realism and the impressionism. Today some of his major works are kept in La Marra Palace where there is an art gallery in his honor.

Cantina della Disfida di Barletta

This historic site is linked to the because in this medieval guesthouse occurred the famous offense of the French knights towards the Italian knights. The historic inn, called the House of Poison, is the building now known as the “Cantina della Disfida”. Today houses several exhibitions and events, and it is one of the most visited museums in the city of Barletta.
Opening hours:
from Tuesday to Sunday: from 9 a.m. to 13 a.m. and from 15 p.m. to 19 p.m.

The ancient ruins of Canne della Battaglia

Canne della Battaglia was a Roman settlement dating back to the 6th century b.C. . The striking feature of these remains is that this place there was the most ferocious and bloody battle of all time, a real bloodbath between the two greatest powers of the time : Rome and Carthage. The battle of Canne was the scene of the greatest defeat of the Roman Empire, by the army commanded by Carthaginian Hannibal. The ancient city ruins of Cannae are just a few kilometers from the city of Barletta, and represent one of the heritage of Apulia Region, where it’s possible to visit a museum. The ruins, moreover, houses the church of Saint Ruggiero who is the patron saint of the city of Barletta.
Opening hours: from Monday to Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 19:30 p.m.
Infoline: 0883510993
Free admission..

The beach and the sea

It is beautiful the coast of the city of Barletta, about 20 km long, where there are areas of public and private beach. The sea of Barletta is ideal for water sports (kite surfing, windsurfing etc.) and diving. Famous in Barletta in the evening hours are also the various parties on the beach.

Local Products

Barletta's cuisine includes many products that belong to the agricultural and seafaring tradition. Bread, pasta, bagels, grapes, olives, olive oil, mozzarella and burrata cheese, cakes, pies and calzones: all these natural and local products are our gastronomic heritage that helps to lift our nation to the top of the food world. Excellent is also the production of wine. The local producers will be glad to welcome visitors to show the various stages of processing of production, accompanied by a tasting of these delicacies.